Drain cock



J. F. KELLEY Feb. 3. 192s.

DRAIN COCK HEAT/NG ELEMENT Filed Dec. 26. 1922 Patented Feb. 3, 1925.

UNITED STATES JOHN F. KELLEY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

DRAIN COCK.

Application filed December 26, 1922.

To afi ici/lam t may conce-WL.'

Be it known that I, JOHN F, KELLEY, a citizen of the United States ofAmerica, and a resident of Chicago, county of Cook, and State ofIllinois, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Drain Cocks, ofwhich the following is a specification.

This invention relates to drain cocks for water circulating systems,suc-h as automobile radiators and the like, wherein the drain cock isequipped with means for automatically releasing the water from thesystem when the atmospheric temperature would otherwise cause the waterto freeze.

The main objects of this invention are to provide a drain cock having animproved form and arrangement of part for normally closing the liquidpassage and which is adapted to automatically open the cock when actedupon by ice formed wit-hin the `liquid passage; to provide a drain cockhaving a fragile partv arranged to be fracturet by the formation of icewithin the cock so as to permit the draining' of the stem; to provide afragile element of the :.,oove character which is readily replaceable;to provide a drain cock of the above character having an improved formof heater arranged for automatic operation upon the formation of icewithin the fragile element so as to melt any ice which may remain in thecock after the fragile element has been broken; to provide improvedmechanism for automatically operating a switch which controls theheater; and to provide an improved construction and arrangement ofthern'iostatic means for automatically disconnecting the heater from theelectric circuit when the liquid passage within the drain cock reaches apredetermined temperature.

An illustrative embodiment of this invention is shown in theaccompanying drawings wherein lligure l is a fragmentary side elevationof a drain cock embodying this invention.

Fig. 2 is a central vertical section taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. l.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical section of the upper part ofthe casing, showing the thermostatic means for controlling the heater.

Fig. d is a diagrammatic view of the invention in an electric circuit.

Drain cocks Vembodying the present invention are adapted for use in anyliquid Serial No. 608,962.

circulating system wherein it is desired to drain the system when theatmospheric temperature would otherwise cause thc liquid tofi'eeze,resulting in possible serious damage to the pipes. The inventionis particularly adapted for use in connection with automobile radiators.

In the form shown, the ydrain cock comprises a casing provi-ding aliquid chamber and having an outlet at its lower end, which is normallyclosed by a fragile element in the form of a replaceable receptacleadapted to be broken by the forn'iation of ice within the receptacle soas to automatically open the cock, ln order to prevent the accumulationof ice within the cock after the outlet has been opened, an electricheater is arranged adjacent the liquid passage, and is controlled by aswitch, which is automatically operated upon `the formation of icewithin the receptacle. rThe switch also controls a signal which may beeither visible or audible for giving notice that` the system is drained.Mechanism in the form of a piston for operating the switch is arrangedwithin the casing in position to be urged upwardly for closing theswitch by the formation of ice within the fragile element.

Referring to the drawings, the drain cock is in the form of a fittingcomprising a casing l, having a liquid passage 2 extending axiallytherethrough. and having an outlet 3 at its lower end which is normallyclosed by a replaceable fragile cup-shaped element t. Mounted on thecasing, is an electric heater 5 arranged adjacent the liquid passage 2,and being controlled by a switch (i, which is automatically operated byan improved form of mechanism T, arranged within the casing. The switchG also controls a signal 8.

In the form shown, the casing i comprises a body part 9, and an enlargedbase part lO provided with a depending peripheral flange. ll, which isinteriorly threaded to receive a retaining ring 12, for detachv ablysecuring the fragile element 4 to the casing. The upper end of thecasing is formed to provide a threaded nipple i3 for attachment to thedrain pipe, not shown, of theautomobile. radiator or other watercirculating system. Mounted within the threaded nipple 13 is a shortperforated tube 14., which is arranged to project upwardly into thereservoir of the radiator,

not shown, so that in the event that a thin layerrof ice forms on thebottom of the reservoir, the liquid above the ice will drain through thetube 14. The tube 14 also serves to conduct the heat from the heater 5to the reservoir for melting any ice which may have formed on the bottomof the reservoir.

The heater 5, which is arranged for automatic operation upon the openingof the cock to prevent the accumulation of ice within the liquid passage2, is in the form of an electric unit, including an insulating block 15,on which is mounted aresistance element 16 arranged within a groove 17 Yformed in the upper face of the body part 9, and surrounding the nipple18. Formed in the body part 9 and extending inwardly from the groove 17is a recess forming a heating` chamber 18, surrounding the centralliquid passage 2.

Mounted within the heating chamber 18 is a thermostatic element 19,which is arranged in the electric circuit for cutting off the heater 5when the heating chamber 18 reaches a predetermined temperature. One

end ofthe thermostat 19 is rigidly connected Y to a bindingpost 20, andits other end is arranged to coact with another binding post 21.Pivotally mounted on the body part 9 and extending into the Vheatingchamber 18 is a detent 22, which is arranged to move byV Y gravity intoposition for holding the thermostatic element 19 retracted when the flatter has moved away from the bindingY post 21.

The outer end of the detent projects through the body part 9 to form ahandle 28, whereby the detent may be manually lifted to permit thethermostatic element to again contact with the binding post 21.

Y Manual control of the liquid passage 2 is provided by means of a plugvalve 24, which is seated in a tapered opening 25, extendingtransversely'through the body part 9. rlhe valve 24 is normally leftopen so as to permit communication between the liquid passage and thefragile element 4. at one end of the valve 24 is a suitable handle26,.whereby the plug valve may be manually turned to bring the centralorice Y the valve 24, and is arranged to be shifted into and out ofengagement with a terminal block 8O mounted on an insulating disk 81.

' The switch bla-de 28 includes an arm 32 pivotally'connected to theoperating mechamsm for closing. the switch when said Vmechanism isactuated by the pressure of ice Mounted formed within the fragileelement 4. Mounted on the valve 24 is a pin 83, adapted to coact with apin 34 mounted on the blade 28, for movingthe latter to its normal openposition when the plug is manually closed after the system has beendrained.

The cup-shaped fragile element 4 ts within the base'part 10, so as tonormally close the outlet 3 o-f the casing, and is provided at its upperend with an annular flange 35, which is clamped to the base part by theretaining ring 12. The cup-shaped element 4A forms a receptacle forreceiving water from the liquid passage 2, and is preferably made ofglass so as to be readily broken by the formation of ice within the ingof the system. Arranged within the upper part ofthe fragile cup 4 is abushing in the form of a nieta-l sleeve-36, having an annular flange 87,which is clamped between i the flange and a gasket 38. Y

The switch operating mechanism 7 is in the form of a spring actuatedplunger comprising a hollow stem 39, on which is loosely mounted anvaxially shifta-ble piston 40, whichis movable between shoulders 41 and42 on Vthe stem 89. The upper end of the stem 8971's loosely supportedin the lower end of the liquid passage 2 and its lower end bears againstthe base of the fragile element 4. Communication between the liquidpassage 2 and fragile receptacle 4 is provided through an orifice 48formed in the hollow 'stem 89 adjacent its lower end. The fragileelement 4 coacts with the stem 89 to hold the plunger in a retractedposition against the action of a helical spring 44 surrounding the'stem89 and bearing between the base part 10 of the casing and the piston 40.Resting upon the piston 40 is a rod 45 which projects upwardly through astuffing box Vmounted in the base part 10. rIhe upper end of the rod 45is pivotally connected to the arm 32 of the switch blade 28, so thatwhen the piston 40 is urged upwardly under pressure of ice formed withinthe fragile element 4, the rod 45 moves upwardly and actuates the blade28 to close the switch. Y

In order to permit the free circulation of water through the cup-shapedreceptacle 4. abrcather tube 4G extends into the fragile receptaclethrough the base part 1Y0. The upper end of the breather tube isconnected tothe liquid circulating system 47, and its lower end extendsdownwardly through the piston 40 in sliding engagement therewith.

The signal, 8 may be of any desired form. When the drain coclr is usedon an automobile'radiator,the signal is preferably in the form of Vasmall incandescent lamp, which may he mounted on the instrument boardofthe vehicle. inthe event vthat the device Vis'used in connection withthe radiator of an automobile it may beelect-rically connected wit-h theelectric starter ofthe vehicle in such mannerthat the starter isrendered inoperative upon the closing of the switch 6. Y

In operation, the plug valve 24 is normally left open so as to permitthe water to circulate freely through thehollow stem 39 of the plungerand into the fragile element 4. Due to the exposure of the lower part ofthe cup-shaped receptacle 4, the water in said receptacle freezes beforethe temperature ofthe water in the system falls to the freezing point,With t-he result that the piston 40 and rod 45 are forced upwardly toclose the switch 6. The closing of the switch 6 places the signal 8 andheater 5 in operation. When the piston 40t has moved upwardly to thelimit of' its movement, further pressureof the ice below the piston 4t)breaks the fragile element 4f, which opens the pet-cock to drain thesystem. 'lhe thermostat 19 then operates to open the circuit controllingthe heater when the heating chamber-18 reaches a predeterminedtemperature. If it is desired to replenish the system beforereplacing-the fragile element the plug valve 24 is closed.y In closingthe plug valve 24; the pin33 coactswith the pin 34 to open the switch 6`and restore the rod i5 to normal position.

Although but one specific embodiment of this invention has been hereinshown and described, it will be understood that numerous details ofv theconstruction shown may be altered or omitted without departing from thespirit of this invention as defined by the followingclaims.

I claim:

l. A drain cock-'comprising aA casing providing a liquid passage, anelectric heater located in position to heat said passage, a switchconnected in. circuit with said heater and being normally open, andoperating n'iechanism for said switch, said mechanism being located insaid casing so as to be direitly actuated by the expansion of ice formedin said casing for closing said switch.

Q. A drain cock comprising a casing providing a liquid passage, anelectric heat-er located in position to heat said passage, a switchconnected in circuit with said heater and being normally open, operatingmechanism for said switch, said mechanism being located in said casingso as to be directly actuated by the expansion of ice formed in saidcasing for closing said switch, and a thermostat mounted on said casingand connected in circuit with said heater and switch, said thermostatbeing movable into retracted posit-ion for breaking the circuit whensaid casing reaches a` predetermined temperature.

A drain cock comprising a casing providing a liquid passage and having.a heating chamber adjacent said passage, an electric heater locatedinsaid heating chamber, a switch connected in circuit with said heater andbeing normally open, operating mecha-nism for. saidV switch, saidmechanism being located` in said; casing-so as to be directly actuated.by the expansion of rice formed' in said casing for .closing saidswitch, and a. thermostat located in` said heating chamber and connectedin circuit with said heater andV switch, said thermostat being movableinto retracted position for breaking the circuit when said chamberreaches a predetermined temperature.

4f. A drain cock comprising a casing providing a liquid passage, anelectric heater located in position to heat said passage, a switchconnected in circuit with said heater and being normally open, operatingmechanism for said switch, said mechanism being located in said casingso as to be directly actuated 'by the expansion. of icc formedy in saidcasing for closing said switch, a thermostat mounted on said casing andconuected in circuit with said heater and switch, said thermostat beingrmovable into retracted position for breaking the circuit when saidcasing reaches a predetermined temperature, and a detent mounted on saidcasing and adapted to hold said thermostat in said retracted position.

5. A drain cock comprising a casingv providing a liquid passage andhaving a. heating chamber adjacent said passage, an electric heaterlocated in said heat-ing chamber, a switch connected in circuit withsaid heater and being normally open, operating mechanism for; said,rswitch, said mechanism being located in said casing so as to bedirectly7 actuated by the expansion of ice formed in said casing forclosing said switch, a thermostat located' in said heating chamber andconnected in circuit with said heater and switch, saidr thermostat beingmovable into retracted position for breaking the circuitwhen saidchamber reaches a predetermined temperature, and a detent pivotallymounted on said casing and adapted to hold said thermostat in saidretracted position, one end of said detent projecting through saidcasing to form a handle whereby said detent may be manually shifted outof engagement with said thermostat.

6. A drain cock comprising a casing providing a liquid passage, a valvein said casing for controlling said passage, an electric heater locatedin position to heat said passage, a switch connected in circuit withsaid heater and being normally open, operating mechanism for saidswitch, said mechanism being located in said casing so as to be directlyactuated by the expansion of ice formed in said casing for closing saidswitch, and means on said valve adapted ltl5 llt)

to coact With said switch fork opening'the latter- When said valve ismanually shifted into position for closingisaid passage.

7. A drain rcock comprising a casing providing a liquid passa-ge, anelectric heater located in position' to heat said passage, a switchconnected in circuit. with said heater and being normally open, a springpressed plunger arranged Within said casing and adapted to be retractedby the expansion of ice formed inv-said casing, and means operable bysaid plunger for closing said when said plunger is retracted.

8.V A drain cock comprising a casing providng a liquid passage, anelectric heater located in position to heat said passage, a switchconnected in circuit With said heater and being normally open, a springpressed plunger arranged Within said casing and adapted to be retractedby the expansion of ice formed in said casing, and a rod slidablymounted in said casing and pivotally7 connected to said switch, saidrodV coacting with said plunger so as to be actuated-'thereby forclosing said switch when said plunger is retracted.

9. A drain cock comprising acasing having a liquid passage extendingaxially therethrough, a. valve extending t"a.nsversely through saidcasing for controlling said passage, an electric heater located inyposition to heat said passage, a switch Vconnected in circuit with saidheater and being normally open, said switch including a blade looselymounted on one end ofsaidfvalve and insulated therefrom, ali/axiallymovable spring' pressed'plunger arranged Within said casing and adaptedto be retracted by the expansion of ice formed in said casing, and a rodslidably mounted in said casing and having one end pivotally connectedto said switch' blade, the other end of said rod coacting with saidplunger so as to be actuswitch ated thereby for closing said switch whensaid plunger is retracted. Y,

10. In a liquid circulating system, a` drain cock having a fragile partarranged to form a liquid chamber, said fragile part being adapted to bebroken by the Huid in said chamber when said fluid expands duringfreezing, said chamber having a. liquid inlet passage communicating withsaid system, and' a return conduit leading from said chamber tosaidsystem to permit a free circulation of liquid through said chamber.

ll. vA drain cock comprising a casing providing a liquid passage, acup-shaped fragile element detachably secured to said casing to form aliquid chamber Vcoacting with said passage, said fragile element beingadapted to be broken bythe expansion of ice formed in said chamber foropening said passage, an electric heater located in position to heatsaid passage, a switch connected in circuit.

with said heater and being normally open, a spring pressed plungerlocated Yin said chamber and arranged to be retracted by the expansionof ice formed in said chamber, and means operable bysaid plunger forclosing said switch when said plunger is retracted. Y

12. A drain cock comprising a casing providing a liquid passage, acup-shaped Yfragile element detachably secured to said' casing to form aliquid chamber coacting with said passage, said 'fragile element beingadapted to be broken by the expansion of ice formed in said chamber foropening saidpassage', a threaded nipple on `said casing at one end ofsaidpassage, and a perforated tube in said passage projecting beyond theouter end of said nipple. .y l

Signed at Chicago this 20th day of December, 1922.

JOHN F. KELLEY.

